Ty
It was about a forty-minute ride with traffic from Paces Ferry back to Dixie Hills. When they pulled up to the dark warehouse, Kell pointed up the street, “If you go around that corner and take that back street down to Carver, my apartment is five minutes’ walk from there.”
Ty looked around at the loud, rundown neighborhood. He realized it was similar to his own. Maybe their worlds weren’t all that different after all. It was clear from the way Kell spoke that he had good education, but some things still weren’t quite adding up. Kell carried himself like he had a different upbringing. A classy one.
Kell pulled a small key ring from his pocket and unlocked the iron gate, sliding it against the wall. Then the front door, labeled:
Grandmaster Roman Webb
Self Defense Academy
When they stepped into the dark building, Kell left his side and went to the opposite wall and flicked on a light switch. The front reception area lit up. First thing Ty noticed was the multitude of trophies in the large display cases.
Ty grinned. “Are some of these yours?”
Kell’s smile was charming and a little shy, “A lot of them are mine. I’ve been competing since I was sixteen. It kept me out of trouble. Most of the time.”
“I like that you stick up for people, Kell, but I’m also glad you’re not doing it anymore. It’s dangerous.” Kell’s skills did need to be utilized in a way that wouldn’t land him in prison. He continued walking around the case reading the large, first place trophies. “How many of these are at your place?”
“None. This is it. I don’t want to keep them at my apartment. I’d hate for them to get stolen,” Kell said, following a little ways behind him while Ty surveyed the incredible space.
He didn’t like the sound of Kell staying in a hood like his own… where no one was safe and it was every man for himself. He didn’t voice his displeasure. It wasn’t his place and it wasn’t his time. The front area had several chairs lined up along the wall and a television in the far corner, with a few vending machines underneath it.
“Come on. Let’s go into the training room.” This time Kell took his hand and led him farther into the large building. “This is the main gym area. Most of the grade-school classes are held in this part, including my classes.”
Ty took in the space that was covered with black and red wrestling mats. Padded beams rose to the ceiling. Along the walls were displays of weapons from various kinds of martial arts styles. Swords, bo and staffs, batons, rattan sticks, even cool Sai sets. Ty brushed his hand over the vented steel blades of the Kama weapon.
“You should see Sensei use those.” Kell smiled beside him.
“I’d rather see you use them.” Ty glanced down at his partner, who stood right at his shoulder. To him, Kell was the perfect height.
“I won’t demonstrate those tonight.” Kell walked off in another direction, down a long hall, pointing out more private classrooms and a decked-out meditation room with dim lantern lighting, bamboo walls, and kneeling pillows. Soothing scents of sage, mint and cade infused the enclosure and filtered into the hallway. “This is my favorite room.”
“I can see why,” Ty said against Kell’s temple. He kept purposefully standing close to him. Every time he stopped to show him something, Ty made sure he was in his personal space, making those startling eyes have to gaze up at him. And yeah, it made his chest stick out, he’d confess. He liked how this badass stared at him.
“And those are the locker rooms back there.” Kell turned. “That’s it. Before I started Duke’s program this is where I spent most of my life. When I was younger, I was always here if I wasn’t in school. It was my safe place.”
“And where does that lead to?” Ty pointed to a steep staircase with a closed door at the top.
A shadow appeared across Kell’s eyes before they fell to his feet. He snapped his head up as if he realized a master shouldn’t show weakness. Ty pulled Kell closer to him. He didn’t have to wear a mask for him. Ever. He didn’t have to front like he was a man of iron.
Ty gently squeezed Kell’s shoulder, “What is it? It’s okay.”
“It’s a storage room.”
“Okay. What about that storage room?” Ty knew it had to be something that disturbed him to cause such a dramatic reaction. Standing until their chests touched, he brought his hands up and cupped Kell’s gorgeous face for the first time. He was glad he let him. Pleased he’d earned that right. Kell tilted his head slightly into Ty’s right palm, his eyes fallen shut. Enjoying his touch. Dark blond lashes lay against his ivory cheeks. His beautiful skin was just as he’d imagined. Silken under his fingertips.